Hurricanes sign Semin to five-year extension

Right winger Alexander Semin signed a five-year contract extension on Monday with the Carolina Hurricanes.

Semin joined the Hurricanes this season as a free agent and has paid immediate dividends. He leads Carolina in assists with 22 and is second in points with 30 in 30 games.

"Alex is an elite player and has been a major contributor to the Hurricanes having a very strong top line," general manager Jim Rutherford said.

Semin will make an average of $7 million per year, the same amount he's receiving this season after signing a one-year contract on July 26, 2012.

Before joining the Hurricanes, Semin, 29, had spent his entire seven-year NHL career with the Washington Capitals. He was an elite scorer with the Caps, reaching 40 goals in the 2009-10, and has 205 goals and 233 assists in 499 career games with Washington and Carolina.

Paired on a line with Eric Staal, Semin has helped the Carolina captain rack up 14 goals and 35 points this season and propelled the Hurricanes into playoff contention.